Helmet apparatus

Abstract

A helmet or headgear apparatus particularly useful to mixed martial arts (MMA), hand to hand combat training and boxing is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention offers improved features providing greater protection than previous solutions such as material covering the top and back of a user's head. A faceguard design is additionally provided. Further, adjustments in design provide for improved comfort to a user as well as a solution that will last longer and fit more varied sizes of heads. Different amounts of layered shock absorbent padding are further provided as desired for the particular training situation.

1 . A helmet particularly for fighting and combat training purposes comprising:
 a padded substantially circumferential member generally protecting a user's face, forehead, and sides of the user's head, wherein the circumferential member leaves a back of user's head unprotected; and   a top member joined to the circumferential member protecting a top of a user's head, the top member further including:   a padded flap piviotably at an end thereof, the padded flap for protecting a back of a user's head;   a first top shock absorbing padded layer covering nearly all of the top of the user's head; and   a second top shock absorbing padded layer over the first shock absorbing layer substantially covering the top of the user's head but covering less than the first padded layer.   
     
     
         2 . The helmet particularly for fighting and combat training purposes of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a first aperture in the first top padded layer; 
 a second aperture in the first top padded layer; 
 a third aperture in the second top padded layer; and 
 a fourth aperture in the second top padded layer, the first, second, third, and fourth apertures together providing ventilation and heat transfer from the top of the user's head wherein the first and second apertures are smaller in size than the third and fourth apertures. 
 
     
     
         3 . The helmet particularly for fighting and combat training purposes of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a first strip of Velcro about right temple area on the circumferential member; 
 a second strip of Velcro about a left temple area on the circumferential member; 
 a third strip of Velcro about a chin area on the circumferential member; 
 a fourth strip of Velcro about a forehead area on the circumferential member, the fourth strip of Velcro having a break therein to allow for a manufacturer logo to be joined to the forehead area; and 
 a faceguard releasably coupled to the circumferential member the faceguard having a grill section and a frame section both comprising steel bars, wherein the frame section has a bottom most horizontal bar having a thickness greater than the grill section steel bars for improved longevity and wear characteristics to the faceguard. 
 
     
     
         4 . The helmet particularly for fighting and combat training purposes of  claim 1 , the circumferential member further comprising:
 a first and a second overlapping flaps rotating about a vertical axis and joining the top member padded flap via corresponding Velcro; and   a padded ear hole for protecting a user's ear, the padded ear hole having a metal plate coupled at a center portion thereto, the metal plate having an additional plurality of holes to allow a passing of sound.   
     
     
         5 . A helmet comprising:
 a padded substantially circumferential member generally protecting a user's face, forehead, chin, cheek bones, and sides of the user's head, the circumferential member comprising a first and a second overlapping flaps at a rear thereof for donning and removal of the helmet; and   a top member flexibly coupled to the circumferential member via a plurality of flexible bands the flexible bands providing an optimum flex fit thereby further providing increased comfort to a user while also accommodating more different head sizes, the top member providing protection to a top of a user's head.   
     
     
         6 . The helmet of  claim 5 , the top member further comprising a padded flap piviotably at an end thereof, the padded flap for protecting a back of a user's head, wherein the paddled flap comprises Velcro material, wherein the first overlapping flap comprises Velcro material on a front side and on a backside thereof, and wherein the second overlapping flap comprises Velcro material on a back side thereof and comprises a manufacturing logo on a front side there, the padded flap, first and second overlapping flaps together allowing for a donning of the helmet. 
     
     
         7 . The helmet of  claim 5 , the circumferential member additionally comprising a chin portion generally protecting a front of a user's chin, the helmet additionally comprising a bottom member joined to the chin portion, the chin portion being generally thicker and having more dense padding as compared to the bottom member, and further the bottom member having softer material as compared to the chin portion. 
     
     
         8 . The helmet of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 an outer skin comprising advanced, man-made leather composed of a non-woven fabric having ultra-fine fibers, approximately measuring 0.05 micron in diameter, the ultra-fine fibers combined to form fiber bundles, the bundles further impregnated with polyurethane to improve flexibility and conformability; and   an inner cushioning material including a polymer composite containing a chemically engineered dilatant assisting in energy absorbing properties.   
     
     
         9 . A helmet particularly for fighting and combat training purposes comprising:
 a padded substantially circumferential member generally protecting a user's face, forehead, and sides of the user's head;   a first strip of Velcro about right temple area on the circumferential member;   a second strip of Velcro about a left temple area on the circumferential member;   a third strip of Velcro about a chin area on the circumferential member;   a fourth strip of Velcro about a forehead area on the circumferential member, the fourth strip; and   a transparent visor releasably coupled to the circumferential member.   
     
     
         10 . The helmet particularly for fighting and combat training purposes of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a top member joined to the circumferential member protecting a top of a user's head, wherein the circumferential member leaves a back of user's head unprotected, the top member further including:
 a padded flap piviotably at an end thereof, the padded flap for protecting a back of a user's head; 
 a first top shock absorbing padded layer covering nearly all of the top of the user's head; and 
 a second top shock absorbing padded layer over the first shock absorbing layer substantially covering the top of the user's head but covering less than the first padded layer. 
 
 
     
     
         11 . The helmet particularly for fighting and combat training purposes of  claim 1 , the circumferential member further comprising:
 a first and a second overlapping flaps rotating about a vertical axis and joining the top member padded flap via corresponding Velcro; and   a padded ear hole for protecting a user's ear, the padded ear hole having a metal plate coupled at a center portion thereto, the metal plate having an additional plurality of holes to allow a passing of sound.